The Greek government, which recently introduced a €20 fee for cruise tourists visiting the popular islands of Santorini and Mykonos, has announced additional measures aimed at curbing overtourism and addressing the country’s housing crisis. As part of these efforts, authorities have declared a ban on issuing new short-term rental licenses in three central districts of Athens. This ban will take effect on January 1, 2025, and will remain in place for at least one year, with the possibility of an extension.
At the same time, the Greek government has increased taxes on short-term vacation rentals and committed to offering property owners incentives to switch to long-term rentals. Like many other European tourist destinations, Greece is striving to balance the lucrative tourism sector, fueled by online platforms like Airbnb, with the needs of local residents who face housing shortages and rising living costs due to the influx of tourists.
These actions mirror similar moves in other European cities. For example, residents of Budapest recently voted to ban short-term rentals in the city’s main tourist district.
